www.multisportgeek.com

Gear

Part of being a multisport geek is that there’s so much stuff you can get to help you in your training and racing.  Triathlon is a constantly evolving sport and the amount of new gear that comes out each year is staggering. Periodically,  I’ll check out new products that I think are worth considering.  Most of them were purchased because they are a solution to a problem or need that I have.  Others are pure impulse buys because I can’t help myself.

Yankz! Sure Lace System – Speed laces for your running shoes. These elastic laces are pre-tied and make your transition times faster because you don’t have to mess around with shoe laces.

XLab Aero Computer Mount – This nifty little unit solves a cockpit real estate problem by providing a handy platform for your bike computer. Works with aero bars and regular roadie bars.

Suunto T6C – A versitile multisport watch that wishes that it had GPS capability.

Training Plans

Check out The Triathlon Dominator (TD) by Ben Greenfield Fitness.  This is a paid program but you want to make your equipment and time invested pay off right?  Don’t trust the free plans that you see all over the internet and try not to put together your own plan with information cobbled together from various sources.  Don’t pay the $250 for race registration fees,  travel expenses and big-money gear investments only to see it all wasted on race day because of poor performance due to lack of training.

The Triathlon Dominator Package is tailor made for the age-grouper athlete and prepares you to train and compete in triathlons up to and including half and full Ironman-distance events.  TD is the sort of training plan that eliminates the guesswork and keeps you motivated enough to avoid burnout.

Swim-Bike-Run specific training is not the only thing covered in this plan.  It also covers diet, lifestyle, strength training and mental / motivational strategies.  In short,  it’s pretty much everything you’re going to need as you progress through your training season.  Here is a more comprehensive list of the topics covered in this program. 

High intensity training – How to train correctly,  at the right effort level and with the most efficient use of your time.
Periodization - Breaking up your training into phases or blocks during the season (base, build, taper, race) so that you arrive on race day fully prepared and ready to rock.
Nutrition -  Optimal nutrition strategies designed to fuel your body with just the right amount of nutrients while at the same time,  promoting fat loss.  TD really stresses a healthy diet and his experience as a licensed nutritionist really shines.  There are all sorts of tips on eating plans including vegan and vegetarian options.
Resistance Training - Strengthen the body with supplemental workouts designed to compliment your swim, bike and run skills.  The majority of these exercises can be done at home with a simple exercise ball and a set of dumbbells.
Nutritional Supplements – Everything you need to know about getting the correct macro and micro nutrients and how it affects your training and levels of success.
Race Day Strategies – How to race,  what to expect, how to prepare.  He also delves deeply into gear selection,  set-up and tips / tricks that can really give you a boost on race day.

It’s worth checking out.  Once you’ve got a system in place and you’re not just out there training half cocked,  you’ll really start to enjoy yourself and experience success.  Don’t let the $97 price tag set you back .  Most athletes including myself turn to professional help eventually.  I do it because frankly,  I don’t have the time during the day to mess around.  I need to get my workouts in,  do them efficiently and get it out of the way so I can go to work.